Display MoreYou are still a newbie. You've had one month to get used to the Kemper, and only recently started into Commercial profiles. I've played 80% of Pete's stuff, 80% of TAF's stuff, and 25% of SoundSide's Stuff, 100% of Tills, and about 70% of Top Jimi, etc. BTW, this isn't cheap either. I've easily dropped $700 on commercial profiles.
For many here, I've had the unit shy of 1.5 years. others coming up on 2.5 years, we have seen Commercial profilers start, evolve, and flourish. Pete used to give his away for free. Jimi Top is the latest quality profiler. But initially, it was Andy and Armin, TAF and SoundSide who offered the best quality commercial profiles.
Andy gave free profiles, some now are part of the Stock set. Andy has a bunch on his website and continues to give free profiles. He will respond to PM's and give you help with your profiling, EQ'ing, presets, settings, etc, etc quite selflessly, as he will give his "Trade Secrets" away without fear, since his genius is his Ear. That's his money maker and he can't give that to you.
TAF profiles started out as some of the best profiles made. And his profiling has evolved and gotten better. While others have profiles of similar quality, TAF's has the best "Bang for the Buck". Where some others have a 1 in 10 keeper, or 3 in 10 keeper, Andy's is more like 8 in 10. He is the Meat and Potatoes of most buyer's collections.
The FIRST MISTAKE to make in Commercial Buying is to go by Previews. Previews will give you the flavour of an amp. But not what YOU will sound like with that Amp. Not by a long shot for most. So if you think a profile's quality is directly related to it's preview, toss that notion out right now! Judging by previews is like judging nutrition by cover art on packaging.
A profile will become a keeper to you when YOU play it, with YOUR guitar, or record with YOUR equipment. And for those of us who have done that, TAF looms large. There is still enough room for SoundSide, Pete and Top Jimi, Tills, etc. They produce quality and amazing stuff.
But someone often is the best. And they are often the best by a long shot. The Michael Jordans. The Tiger Woods (well, not so much lately, ha ha). The Lionel Messi's. And for Commercial Profilers, TAF is tops, hands down, whether you want to accept that or not.
Andy is a competent sound engineer professional, with great studio gear at his disposal, who is equally respected on the Fractal side as well as the Kemper side for his Golden Ear and Quality Profiles and IR's.
So, take your time, enjoy Pete's stuff (whose Marshals excel with my LP), try Armin's too (Who's Deluxe's are, well, Deluxe!). But pretty much the first advice you read on forums about the Kemper is "Get some TAF" profiles. There's a reason behind that. And it isn't because of feelings and good will. It's because they are solid products, through and through.
Well said couldn't agree more